
MP Marjana Koçeku, who a few weeks ago decided to break away from the SP and become independent, was invited today to the show "Albania Live" on "Top Channel", where she spoke about her decision and the behind-the-scenes of the SP group meetings.
"There have also been previous objections to things that I have considered unfair. I have also held positions within the parliament on the environment, especially Drini and Buna. I have also supported one of the DP MPs in Shkodra. As an independent MP, I can contribute more to the causes that I support, with more freedom and conscience.
The decision had a series of events, it did not happen immediately. It was thought out on my part, but the protest had its influence in thinking that it was the right moment. Turning off the phone was to avoid being influenced by anyone. I consulted only my conscience in the decision. My family did not try to intervene, they respected my decision and were concerned if I was okay.
I had numerous requests to the Prime Minister for the area I represented on various environmental issues and not only. I gave signals by being critical about the delays and negligence of investments in the area I come from. In the meeting with the Prime Minister, he told me that it is an area that I have never encountered and I do not know well what is happening there.
This is what he said on the podcast, that he has never been to Dukagjin, which is not an unimportant area. The Prime Minister's T-shirt in Shkodra had a flamingo on it, it was a sincere comment on my part in support of the protest. Rama did not say anything to me about that comment. I headed the SP list in Shkodra, but I was personally sworn in in parliament.
When I joined the SP, I became part of my own image and I was an active part of the campaign, so I contributed during the campaign and this cannot be denied. The votes did not come only from the SP followers, but also from the gray electorate, which was also thanks to my acquaintances. I spoke at the group meetings on the issue of mortgages, the protection of architecture and not only. I will continue as an independent MP until the end. I will be a critical voice.
I have read on social networks the objections to Spiropal, everyone has their own freedom to express their own position. There were colleagues from the Socialist Party who have privately supported me, encouraged me and respected my decision. I was in Brussels, where I spoke about my decision and the situation of the protests and I received support.
No one forced me to post about the destruction of Theth, which is why I did not delete that post. I believe that the intervention in Theth was done in the wrong way in terms of timing, arrogance and insult, despite the irregularities there. I am not like Greta Thunberg, I have followed and appreciate her resistance to global and environmental causes.
I was present at the protest, I decided to keep a kind of distance. I will continue to support them as much as I can. I don't know what party New Albania is, my goal is to be as active as possible and represent the citizens. I have no way of not knowing good things about Edi Rama, I am not the person who chooses to blacken everything that I am no longer a part of. I have told Edi Rama what I had, publicly and privately. I am an independent MP, I do not aim for any grouping", said Koçeku.